7.3.8 Purpose
The Home Purchase Assistance Scheme (HPAS) assists members with the cost of purchasing a home in their current or next housing benefit location or family benefit location.
7.3.10 Conditions of eligibility
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A member is eligible for HPAS if all of the following are met.
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The home is in the member’s current or next housing benefit location or family benefit location.
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An eligible person will live in the home within the period specified in section 7.3.13.
Note: Section 7.3.2 provides that to be eligible to benefits under Chapter 7 Part 3 the member must be on continuous full-time service, and the location where they have purchased the home will continue to be their housing benefit location or family benefit location for at least 12 months.
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If the member’s partner is also a member, only one member is eligible for HPAS.
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Despite subsection 2, the other member may be eligible for HPAS in a future housing benefit location or family benefit location.
7.3.11 Member the Division does not apply to
This Division does not apply to a member who meets any of the following.
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They have received one of the following.
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HPAS on or after 1 July 2000.
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HPSEA for a first home on or before 30 June 2000.
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They are on any of the following.
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A transition location (general) agreement.
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A transition location (medical) agreement.
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7.3.12 Purchase of land
This Division does not apply to the purchase of land that does not have a home on it.
7.3.13 When the home must be occupied
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If a situation in an item in Column A of the following table applies — a home must be occupied by an eligible person within the specified time period in Column B of the same item.
Item Column A
Member's situationColumn B
Specified time period1. They have signed a contract for a home to be built. Within the earlier of the following two period.
- One month after the day it is ready for occupation.
- 12 months after the member signs the contract.
2. They begin to build a home as an owner-builder. Within the earlier of the following two periods.
- One month after the day it is ready for occupation.
- 12 months after the member begins to build it.
3. They purchase a home in the new location after one of the following occurs and before they begin duty in that location.
- An official written notice of the posting is issued.
- An alternate located work agreement is made.
Within 1 month after the earlier of the following.
- The day the member begins duty in the new location.
- The date of settlement of the contract to purchase the home.
4. They purchase a home in any other circumstance. Within one month after the date of settlement of the contract to purchase the home. - The member is eligible to have the time for occupation specified in Column B of the table in subsection 1 extended for up to 24 months if all of the following apply.
- An eligible person cannot occupy the home for a reason beyond their control.
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The CDF is satisfied that it is reasonable to extend the time.
Note: If the period is extended the decision maker must specify the duration of the extension.
7.3.14 Amount of benefit
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The amount of the benefit is a one-off payment of $16,949 (before tax).
Note: This amount will be included in the member's taxable income. Tax will be deducted at the time of payment. The payment is not reportable for fringe benefit tax purposes.
- If an eligible person shares ownership with other persons, the HPAS payment is made according to the share of ownership with those other persons.
- For the purpose of subsection 2, the member and their resident family have one share of the home.
Example 1: A member purchases with one other person. The HPAS payment will reflect the share of ownership. For example, equal shares would result in payment of 50% of the HPAS amount.
Example 2: A member, their spouse and the member's non-dependent father jointly purchase a home. The member and spouse live in the home with their two children. The member is eligible for 50% of the HPAS payment.
7.3.15 When a member must repay HPAS
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A member must repay the HPAS payment they received if any of the following occurs.
- An eligible person does not occupy the home within the specified time under section 7.3.13.
- The purchase of the home does not go ahead for any reason.
Note: A member can reapply for HPAS in the future once the repayment is made.
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Despite subsection 1, the following apply.
- If Service reasons prevent an eligible person from occupying the home within the specified time, the member does not have to repay the amount.
- If Service reasons prevent the purchase from going ahead, the CDF may decide that the member should be reimbursed their reasonable and unavoidable costs.